System and method for generating a personalized tax advice document

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a system and method for generating personalized tax advice documents. An advice protocol is integrated in tax preparation software to provide relevant financial advice statements based on a taxpayer&#39;s income tax return data. A set of financial recommendations or statements is developed from which applicable statements may be selected for the tax advice documents. Categories and priorities are associated with each financial statement as well as specific financial triggers and calculations. The triggers are evaluated based on tax return data. If the conditions of a trigger are met, a calculation is performed to determine the actual benefit to the taxpayer. The specific financial recommendation or statement associated with the trigger is then added to a tax advice document. The taxpayer is then provided with a printed copy of the tax advice document comprising the specific statements selected for the taxpayer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for providing financial advice to individuals. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for generating a personalized tax advice document based on a taxpayer's tax return data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For several years, tax preparation software used by income tax preparation services such as H&R Block® has had a taxpayer advice feature. Upon completion of a taxpayer's tax return, the taxpayer is provided with recommendations and financial advice related to the tax return. For example, the taxpayer may be provided with a recommendation related to saving money on a home mortgage. In current methods for providing financial advice to taxpayers, however, recommendations and financial advice statements are prioritized in one way for all users, and in some instances, may not be applicable to the taxpayer's current situation. Because the tax information is used to trigger the recommendations, events occurring after the tax year are not always included in the analysis and qualifications for the specific recommendations and advice. In some instances, recommendations or statements that are likely to result in financial benefits to the taxpayer are not emphasized over recommendations or statements that are less likely to result in financial benefits. In other instances, recommendations or statements that would benefit the taxpayer are not provided at all. Therefore, there is a need for tax preparation software that generates a personalized tax advice document based on a taxpayer's tax return data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cascading advice protocol that is integrated in a tax preparation program to provide a specific range of relevant financial advice statements based on data in a taxpayer's income tax return. It accounts for urgency, specificity of content, and applicability tailoring a broad range of tax advice statements into a single document. First, a set of financial recommendations or statements is developed from which applicable recommendations or statements may be selected. Categories and priorities are associated with each financial recommendation or statement as well as specific financial triggers. They are then integrated into the tax preparation software.

The triggers in the tax preparation software are evaluated based on data provided for completion of the taxpayer's income tax return. If the conditions of a trigger are met, a calculation is performed to determine the actual tax or savings benefit to the taxpayer. The specific financial recommendation or statement associated with the trigger is then added to a tax advice document for the taxpayer. Upon completion of the taxpayer's return, a tax preparer reviews the recommendations and statements with the taxpayer. The taxpayer is then provided with a printed copy of the tax advice document comprising the specific recommendations and statements selected for the taxpayer.

Recommendations and statements that may be provided to the taxpayer relate to client requested (e.g., specifically requested by a client based on how interview questions are answered) tax alerts (e.g., changes in tax law or changes in a taxpayer's situation that will impact tax or financial situation), tax planning (e.g., charitable deductions, flexible spending accounts), self-employed or small business issues, governmental assistance, savings and interest, retirement (e.g., 401(k), 403(b), 457, SEP, SIMPLE, Keogh plans, IRA contributions), home ownership (e.g., home interest deduction), estate planning, and education (e.g., student loan interest, Hope Scholarship Credit/Lifetime Learning Credit) and safety net (e.g., statements with broader universal appeal). The tax advice document that is generated is unique to the taxpayer. A total of 100 individual recommendations or statements selected according to the triggers and conditions of the present invention may result in the generation of over 1.5 million different documents. The generation of a personalized tax advice document for a taxpayer is unique to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is block diagram of an advice protocol according to an example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the primary hardware components according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an advice protocol according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cascading advice protocol of FIG. 1 is a tax preparation software feature for prioritizing and distributing specific groupings of financial advice recommendations and statements in a tax advice document, triggered by tax return information and captured by the tax preparation software during the tax return preparation process. All possible recommendations and statements are first categorized, based on content, into a category or topic (e.g., client requested 100, tax alerts 102, tax planning 104, self-employed/small business 106, government assistance 108, saving and investments 110, retirement 112, home ownership 114, estate planning 116, education 118, and safety net 120). Associated with each category is a maximum number of recommendations or statements, which can be adjusted, to be selected from the category for the tax advice document. For example, for the tax alerts category 102, a maximum of two statements in this category will be selected for the tax advice document.

Each category is then prioritized based on specificity, expected relevance, and urgency of content. Within each category, each recommendation or statement is also prioritized by specificity and expected relevancy. These predefined categories and priorities are then programmed, with the recommendations and statements, into the tax preparation software.

When a tax return is prepared using the tax preparation software, all recommendations and advice statements triggered by the tax return information are then subjected to the cascading advice protocol prioritization by the software. The protocol uses the pre-defined categories and priorities to order each recommendation or statement to be provided in the tax advice document.

The first recommendations or statements provided in the document may be “client requested” 100. The client receiving the tax advice document may request that specific recommendations or statements appear in the beginning of the document. For example, the client may ask that the document include recommendations or statements related to government assistance programs.

The software then looks into the next tax-related category 102 for the highest priority triggered (relevant) recommendation or statement. This recommendation or statement is identified as the next statement to display on the computer screen and print in the tax advice document. The program then repeats this process for each remaining category 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 until the category is exhausted or the maximum number of statements allowed for the category is reached. If no recommendations or statements in a particular category are triggered for a particular tax return, it progresses to the next category and continues the process.

The process continues until a predefined maximum number of recommendations or statements for the tax advice document, if required, is reached. If no recommendations or statements were triggered in the first 10 categories, (100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118), a minimum of five statements are triggered from the last category 120 (the safety net category).

Table 1 provides another list of the categories, category names, and number of statements from each category that may be used in generating a tax advice document.

TABLE 1 Maximum Number Category From Each # Category Name Category 1 Client Requested 2 2 Tax Alerts 2 3 Tax Planning 2 4 Self-employed & Small Business 3 5 Government & Non-profit 3 6 Savings & Investments 2 7 Retirement 2 8 Home Ownership 1 9 Estate Planning 1 10 Education 2 11 Safety Net 5 12 BA Savings Statements 8 13 Deceased 5

Table 2 is a list of example tax advice statements and associated triggers, priorities, categories, and category names. When the conditions of a trigger are met, the statement is added to the tax advice document in the associated category according to the associated priority. The tax advice document may be reorganized according to categories and priorities as statements are added. Alternatively, statements may be selected first and then organized according to category and priority to generate the final tax advice document.

TABLE 2 Cat. Statement Trigger Pri. Cat. Name Nutrition Assistance through the Food Government screener question should be 5 1 Client Stamp Program: The Food Stamp Program triggered if client meets this statement, but Requested helps you buy food. You can spend food stamps output of this statement occurs if like cash at most stores that sell food. In most government screener question gets a Yes. states, you get a food stamp card that's like a And 130% or less than US Poverty Income credit card, which you can use to buy food at Guidelines including unearned income. the grocery store. To find out if you're eligible, call 1-800-221-5689. Nutrition Assistance for Women, Infants, Government screener question should be 6 1 Client and Children (WIC): You (and Name of child triggered if client meets this statement, but Requested or children) may be eligible for free food along output of this statement should only occur if with tips on nutrition under the government's government screener question gets a Yes. WIC program. WIC is for women who are and 185% of U.S. Poverty Income pregnant or who just had babies and for guidelines and dependents born after 1998, children up to age 5. To find out if you qualify, or expecting to add a dependent through call the (name of state) WIC Agency at (state birth (state numbers for WIC below) phone #). There's no cost to you. National School Lunch Program: (Child(ren)'s Government screener question should be 7 1 Client Name) may be eligible for free or discounted triggered if client meets this statement, but Requested lunches through the National School Lunch output of this statement should only occur if Program. To find out if (child(ren)'s name is government screener question gets a Yes. (are) eligible, please call (state number) for and 185% of U.S. Poverty Income information on how to apply. guidelines and dependents born after 1985. (state number in table below). Saver's Credit: We calculate that you can take 1. AGI equal to or less than $50000 married 2 1 Client advantage of the Saver's Credit in 2003. If you filing jointly, $37500 head of household or Requested and your spouse each contribute $1,000 to a $25000 for single, married filing separately, qualified plan, your joint savings in 2003 can be and qualifying widower as much as $1,000. Your best savings strategy 2. Entered Saver's Credit calculation screen depends on your specific situation. Your tax AND professional can help you compare the benefits 3. Not a Dependent or full-time Student of the retirement savings options available to 4. No input in planning portion of Saver's address your short-term and long-term savings Credit calculator (Remove) goals. 5. Suppress if no earned income Calculation: Use (1) contribution amount and (2) net savings amount from 2003 “best” column Owning vs. Renting: Based upon your monthly 1. No 7216 restriction 8 1 Client rent payment and an assumed interest rate of 2. A = (x/.97)-x B = (x/.95)-x Requested 7%, it appears you could afford a $X 30-year 3. Suppress statement/change input mortgage. You would generally need between screen to require $100 or more. $A-$B for a down payment, which could be cash you have saved or have been given (gifts are subject to certain restrictions). Keep in mind you will also need to pay closing costs, property taxes (which are deductible) and insurance (which isn't). Insure Your Kid(s): Your kid(s) may be eligible 1. Govemment screener question displays if 4 1 Client for low-cost or free health care in your state-- client qualifies. Print statement only if Requested even if you work full time. To find out more, call govemment answer is YES. 1(877) KIDS NOW, (543-7669) toll free or visit 2. Suppress the message if no incidences of www.insurekidsnow.gov on the Internet. Ask dependent children living with the TP/SP your tax professional for a brochure about this program. Getting Money Quickly: A Refund Anticipation Trigger: Anyone taking any type of refund 1 1 Client Loan (RAL) is certainly one of the fastest ways anticipation loan, except Nac-RAL. Nac-RAL Requested to get the amount of your anticipated refund. should not rec this statement. But as you know, the lending bank charges you for this service. And you must repay the loan in full even if the IRS doesn't approve your refund. Remember, you can get your refund in approximately 10-21 days and avoid the bank fee just by filing electronically and requesting direct deposit. That way, you can put more of your refund in your pocket. Avoid Finance Charges: You decided to use Anyone taking a Balance Due 3 1 Client an Easy Pay balance due loan. The good news Requested is you have an extra 90 days to pay your taxes, and you will not have any finance charges if the loan is paid in full by July 15. But, you will incur finance charges from the date of the loan if it is not paid off on or before July 15. A New Dependent: You indicated you may be 1. Will you be supporting anyone else next 6 2 Tax supporting a new dependent next year. Tax year? Answered yes, reason is other than Alerts breaks help you offset the cost of supporting a birth or adoption. dependent. Based on this year's return, an 2. “X” > 0 TPS: X = $3,000 × marginal additional dependent would lower your 2003 tax bracket taxes by $X. If necessary, we can help you Check the math against a zero tax liability adjust your withholding or estimated tax payments. Earned Income Credit: (Child's Name) will not Age trigger of born in 1984; 5 2 Tax qualify as your child for purposes of calculating Display onscreen message at exit from EIC Alerts your earned income credit next year unless screen (Name) is a full-time student or is disabled. You may want to adjust your withholding or estimated tax payments to avoid surprises next year. For Multiple children (Children's Names) will not qualify as your children for purposes of calculating your earned income credit next year unless (qualifying children's names) are full-time students or are disabled. You may want to adjust your withholding or estimated tax payments to avoid surprises next year. Child Care Credit: (Child's (Children's) Name) Age trigger of born in 1989; 8 2 Tax will be too old to qualify for the childcare credit Display onscreen message at exit from Alerts next year. If you participate in a flexible 2441 spending account at work, you'll no longer be allowed to use it to pay childcare for (Name(s)). You should adjust your withholding or estimated taxes accordingly. Child Tax Credit: (Child(ren)'s Name) will be Display onscreen message at exit from child 7 2 Tax too old for the child tax credit next year. If information screen Alerts (child(ren)'s name) hadn't qualified this year, your refund (balance due) would have been $X. We can help you adjust your withholding or estimated payments for next year accordingly. Dependents: (Child's Name) will not qualify as Age trigger of born in 1984; 3 2 Tax your dependent next year unless (Name) is a Display onscreen message at exit from child Alerts full-time student or has less than $3,000 in info screen income during 2003. You may want to adjust your withholding or estimated tax payments to avoid surprises next year. For Multiple Children (Children's Name) will not qualify as your dependents next year unless (Names) are full-time students or have less than $3,000 in income during 2003. You may want to adjust your withholding or estimated tax payments to avoid surprises next year. IRA Withdrawals: You are required to withdraw 1. Taxpayer or spouse's date of birth 2 2 Tax a minimum amount from a traditional IRA after between Jul. 1, 1932 and Dec. 31, 1993 inclusive. Alerts you reach age 70½. Otherwise, the IRS will No 1099-R with IRA/SEP box marked AND penalize you 50% of the amount you should no wages on return. have withdrawn. We can help you determine the amount you must withdraw, which can't be rolled over to another IRA or Roth IRA. Earned Income Credit: Because you'll be 66 Same as last year 13 2 Tax by the end of the year, you won't qualify for the Alerts earned income credit next year. Based on this years return, your refund (balance due) next year will be $X. You should adjust your withholding or estimated tax payments accordingly. Child Care Credit: Consider claiming the Same as last year 10 2 Tax childcare credit rather than using the flexible “X” > 0 Alerts spending plan at work. Your taxes would have been $Y lower on this year's return had you claimed the credit. Putting Too Much in Your IRA: The IRS Enter 5329 screen with excess IRA 4 2 Tax penalized you $X for pulling too much into your contributions calculated. Output: excess Alerts IRA. You'll be penalized again next year unless contributions present on return. TPS: Use you contact your IRA custodian and have your 3,500 for t/ps age 50+ contribution re-designated as part of your 2003 IRA contribution. Note: You can only do this for up to $3,000 ($3,500) of excess contributions. Child Care Credit: In 2003, total allowable Child care credit claimed; Child Credit % 9 2 Tax expenses increase to $3,000 per child, or > 20; exit 2441. TPS X = credit based on Alerts $6,000 for two or more children. Your credit number of children born after 1989 and amount may also be higher next year. 2003 credit percentages Assuming the same income and child care expenses as you have on your 2002 return, you would be eligible for a $X child care credit next year. You may want to adjust your withholding or estimated tax payments. Birth of a New Child: Be sure to get a social Will you be supporting anyone else next 11 2 Tax security number for your new child so you can year? answered yes, birth indicated as Alerts take full advantage of the many tax breaks reason. children provide, including deductions, credits and a $3,000 exemption. If you need to pay for childcare in order to work, you can reduce your taxes further. You may also want to consider tax-advantaged education savings programs. Adoption of a New Child: Be sure that your Will you be supporting anyone else next 12 2 Tax adopted child has a social security number year? answered yes, adoption indicated as Alerts before you file next year's return, so you take reason. full advantage of the many tax breaks children provide, including deductions, credits and a $3,000 exemption. If you need to pay for childcare in order to work, you can reduce your taxes further. You may also want to consider tax-advantaged education savings programs. Avoid Penalties by Changing Your Balance due with a penalty and at least one 14 2 Tax Withholding: Because you didn't have enough W-2 Alerts taxes withheld from your paychecks, the IRS penalized you this year. Consider increasing your withholding to avoid another penalty next year. Fill out a Form W-4 to give to your employer. Retirement Plan Withdrawals: You must begin Taxpayer or spouse born in or before 1932 1 2 Tax withdrawing money from your employer's and wages for the affected spouse on Alerts retirement plan by April 1 of the year after you return. reach age 70½, or the year you retire, whichever comes later. If you miss these deadlines, the IRS will penalize you 50% of the amount you should have withdrawn. Charitable Contributions: Donating to your 1. Any entry on Schedule A 2. No 15 3 Tax house of worship, school, or other charitable Charitable contributions TPS: X = $100 × Planning organization can reduce your tax liability while 2002 marginal tax rate (based on 2002 TI) helping your favorite charities. For each $100 of Bold dollar amount X contributions you make--including payroll deductions for the United Way or other agencies--your federal taxes will be reduced by $X. It's easy to overlook ways you help your favorite charities, so be sure to keep careful records, including car mileage and other out-of- pocket spending on behalf of a charity. Flex Medical Spending: Your W-2 indicates Same as last year 6 3 Tax you aren't taking advantage of a flexible medical Planning spending account. If your employer offers one, consider signing up during the next enrollment period. Some of your pay will be set aside without deducting taxes so that you can use it to pay for allowable medical expenses. Keep in mind that you must use the set-aside money by the end of the year or lose it. Approaching Higher Tax Rate: You are within TPS: X = Top $ for filing status/bracket - 2 3 Tax $1,000 of the next tax bracket. If your income taxable income. Y = next marginal tax rate Planning increases by more than $X next year, some of higher; income wi/in $1,000 of next marginal your income will be taxed at a higher rate. You break may want to increase your withholding or estimated payments to offset those higher taxes. (remove, we can help) IRA Rollover: When you leave an employer, it's Exit W-2 Hash Totals; W-2 box 12 coded D, 9 3 Tax important to preserve the retirement savings E, F, G, H. Planning you accumulated while employed there. Check with your former employer to find out whether you'll have to take a mandatory withdrawal by a certain date. If so, you'll need to roll over those funds into a new retirement plan to avoid paying taxes and penalties to the IRS. Charitable Contributions: Donating to your 1. Schedule A on return not limited by AGI 14 3 Tax house of worship, school, or other charity can 2. Any charitable contribudon Planning reduce your tax liability while helping your 3. “X” > 0 favorite charities. For each $100 of TPS: X $100 * 2003 marginal tax rate contributions you make--including payroll (based on 2002 TI). Bold dollar amount X. deductions for the United Way or other agencies--your federal taxes will be reduced by <B>$%P</B>. It's easy to overlook ways you help your favorite charities, so be sure to keep careful records, including car mileage and other out-of-pocket spending on behalf of a charity. Gambling Losses: Your tax return states that Enter the gambling losses field. Output: 4 3 Tax your gambling wins were greater than your Gambling losses less than gambling Planning gambling losses. You can offset any gambling winnings. winnings dollar for dollar with any losses. So be sure to keep records of both. Allocated Tips: Your W-2 shows allocated tips, Enter W-2 box 8. Output: entry in field. 10 3 Tax which we had to include as income. To avoid Planning this next year, keep records showing you report all of your tips to your employer, so that you don't have to pay tax on tips you did not actually receive. Installment Agreement: We have included an Enter the 9465 screen. 11 3 Tax IRS installment agreement request with your tax Planning return. The IRS will charge you a $43 set-up fee. Once you hear from the IRS, you must make your full payment on the X each month. If you do not make all payments on time and in full on your payment date, the IRS can void the agreement and demand immediate payment of the balance. Teacher's Deduction: On your 2003 tax return, Teacher, educator, counselor, principal, 1 3 Tax you'll be entitled to deduct up to $250 that you principle, in TP or Spouse occupation field. Planning spend on items for your classroom, even if you Onscreen message for TP: Enter spouse don't itemize. So be sure to keep track of these name field; SP: enter zip code field expenses. Voluntary Withholding: If you don't want to Onscreen: 0 in box 4 Output: Social 16 3 Tax make estimated tax payments, you can have security, no withholding, estimates present Planning money withheld from your social security OR balance due payments to cover your federal taxes -- even if your social security isn't taxable. File Form W- 4V to request this withholding. Avoid Capital Gains: You told us you're Yes to less than 2 years; filing status other 7 3 Tax planning to sell your house. Have you than married filing jointly Planning considered waiting until you've lived there for two years? That way, any profit up to $250,000 will be tax-free. Any additional profit will usually be taxed as a capital gain. Avoid Capital Gains: You told us you're Yes to less than 2 years, filing status 8 3 Tax planning to sell your house. Have you married filing jointly Planning considered waiting until you've lived there for two years? That way, any profit up to $500,000 will be tax-free. Any additional profit will usually be taxed as a capital gain. Moving Expenses: You indicated that you Yes to relocating more than 50 miles 5 3 Tax were planning on relocating more than 50 miles Planning for work. Therefore, many of your relocation expenses can be tax deductible. Ask your tax professional which expenses qualify. Flexible Spending Accounts: This year you Child care credit claimed, dependent born 3 3 Tax claimed a childcare credit, and based on your after 1989; no entry in W-2 box 10. & 20% Planning W-2 it appears you aren't participating in a child care credit flexible spending plan. Flexible spending plans let you save on your taxes by paying for child or dependent care with untaxed dollars. Check to see if your employer offers a flexible spending plan. You may want to sign up. Consider Paying State and Local Taxes Schedule A and estimated payments 12 3 Tax Early: If you make estimated payments on your present Planning state and/or local taxes, think about mailing your fourth quarter payment by Dec. 31, 2003. That way, you'll get the full deduction this year. However, you can't make a much larger- than-needed payment just to increase the deduction on your federal return. Withholding on Unemployment Benefits: Entry in box 1, 1099-G, no entry in box 4 13 3 Tax You can withhold part of your unemployment Planning benefits to avoid any surprises at tax time next year. File Form W-4V with your state unemployment agency. The Value of Old Shoes: If you donate old Anyone who itemized 17 3 Tax clothes or other household items to a favorite Planning charity, be sure to get a receipt. It will be very valuable at tax time. A men's leather belt in good condition could be worth as much as $15 as a tax contribution. A pair of shoes in fair condition has a value of $5-15. A woman's two- piece business suit in good shape could be worth $65! Visit a thrift shop to determine the value of your contributions. Give Property Instead of Cash: If you're Anyone itemizing 18 3 Tax considering a cash contribution to a charity, Planning consider giving stock or other appreciated property instead. You can take a tax deduction for its value the day you give it away and avoid paying a tax on any gain. The charity gets the property to sell or hold for future sale. Worrying that a stock is too good to give up? Then buy more of the same stock to replace what you donated. Your basis will be today's price rather than what you originally paid. Writing Off Health Insurance Costs: Because 1. Married filing jointly or married filing 1 4 SE/Small you're self-employed, you can reduce your separately, Schedule C or F with net income Business taxable income by the cost of health insurance 2. No SE health insurance deduction. TPS: premiums for you and your family. If your SE health ins Y/N? must be required field spouse works for you, you can even deduct the 3. Suppress message if any single W-2 is premium costs from your business income and greater than $18,000 reduce the self-employment taxes you must pay. But you can't take this break if you can get health insurance through your employer (if you have a job as well as your own business) or your spouse's employer (unless that's you). Start a Retirement Plan: Even though you Same as last year plus no entry on wages 4 4 SE/Small don't have any employees, you can still set up a line of C or F Business retirement savings plan for yourself and deduct your contributions from your taxable income. Home Office Expenses: You didn't claim any Output triggers same as last year. 3 4 SE/Small rent expenses this year for your business. If you Onscreen, exit rent/lease field (enter next Business run a business out of your home, you can write field) off some of your mortgage interest, utilities and other household costs against your business income. All that's required is that you use your home office exclusively and regularly in your business. Additional First-Year Depreciation: As a Schedule C, F on return Cursor on asset 6 4 SE/Small business owner, you may be thinking about pop-up Business buying new assets for your business this year. Output: C or F gross receipts > $5,000. Remember, most non-real estate assets placed in service during 2003 will qualify for an additional 30% first-year depreciation deduction. Business Assets: For 2003, you can deduct up Schedule C, F on return; cursor on 7 4 SE/Small to $25,000 of the cost of business assets other depreciation screen. Business than real property. For 2003, you can deduct up Output: Schedule C, F with gross receipts > to $25,000 of the cost of business assets other $25,000 than real property thereby reducing your taxes. Retirement Advice: Do your employees have Entry on pension or employee benefits line 10 4 SE/Small lots of questions related to their retirement-plan of Schedule C or F Business options? You can now deduct the cost of providing retirement advice to your employees without treating the value of the advice as income to them. Medical Plan Costs: 2003 is a good year to 1. Filing Status = Single, HH, or QW, 2 4 SE/Small consider getting health insurance through your Schedule C, F with net income Business business. That's because, as someone who is 2. No SE health insurance deduction. self-employed, you can now deduct up to 100% 3. Suppress message if any single W-2 is of the cost of your premiums, even if you don't greater than $18,000 itemize deductions. Credit for Starting a Pension Plan: A pension EIN and wages present, no pension 5 4 SE/Small plan is an important benefit to many employees. benefits. Business If you choose to set one up for your employees, Exit screen you can take a credit for up to $500 of the cost of setting up an employer pension plan. Home Office Expenses: If you're using your Schedule C with rent expense, mortgage 9 4 SE/Small home in running your business, you can interest, or property tax. Business allocate some of your home expenses Onscreen, exit rent/lease field (enter next (mortgage interest, utilities, etc.) to the field). business. Professional Fees and Commissions: Onscreen message as commissions/fees 11 4 SE/Small Sometimes you need professional business field entered. Business help. Be sure to keep track of any professional Output: Schedule C with gross receipts > fees and commissions you pay because you'll $10,000. need to give a Form 1099-MISC to each professional or contractor whom you pay more than $600 during 2003. You'll need to prepare the required statements, and mail them before Mar. 1, 2004. Hiring Your Kid(s): Employing your kid(s) in Dependents born after Dec. 31, 1985 8 4 SE/Small your business can pay off. Wages you pay for Business reasonable work-like answering phones or cleaning the office-are treated as taxable income for your kid(s) and business expenses for you. Your kid(s) can offset any income they earn by a standard deduction amount-$4,700 for single people in 2003. So if your kid's only income is the $3,000 paid by you, your kid's tax bill is $0 and you have $3,000 less taxable income-and lower self-employment taxes. Free Government Matching: Based on your 1. AGI equal to or less than $50000 MFJ, 1 5 Government 2002 tax return, it appears that you may be able $37500 HH or $25000 for S, MFS, and QW Assistance to claim a Saver's Credit in 2003. To claim this 2. Born before 1979 credit, you will need to put money into an IRA or 3. No input in planning portion of Saver's retirement plan, and the government matches Credit calculator up to 50% of the amount you contribute. 4. Not both full time students, not both dependents of another 5. No dependents 24 or younger 6. Suppress if $0 tax liability and no presence of regular child tax credit 7. Suppress if no earned income Free Government Matching: You may be 1. AGI equal to or less than $50000 married 5 eligible for a Saver's Credit in 2003 if you're not filing jointly, $37500 head of household or a student, no one else claims you as a $25000 for single, married filing separately, dependent, and you set aside money for and qualified widower. retirement. The credit works as a government 2. Born between 1979 and 1984 (inclusive) matching plan for up to 50% of amounts you put 3. No input in planning portion of Saver's into an IRA or retirement plan. Credit calculator (Remove) 4. Entered Saver's Credit Calcuation screen AND 5. A dependent AND/OR full-time student 6. Must have earned income Getting Your Fair Share: The government Trigger for anyone that gets the screener 2 5 Government uses tax dollars to fund programs that can question (doesn't matter if they answer Yes Assistance assist you with free or discounted foods, or No) prescription drugs, job placement, housing, health care, etc. To find out which programs you are eligible for go to www.firstgov.gov. Seniors should also visit www.benefitscheckup.com. Kiddie Tax: Beginning next year, (Child's Same as last year 2 6 Budget, (Children's) Name) investment income will no Saving, & longer have to be reported on your return. You Investment should consider shifting ownership of taxable investments to (Name(s)) so that the income from those investments is taxed at (Name'(s)) lower tax rate. Tax Free Growth: You might want to consider Replace the marginal tax bracket trigger 5 6 Budget, investing in tax-free investment products, such with interest income > $2,000 & No 7216 Saving, & as municipal bonds. Because the interest restriction; no tax-exempt interest reported. investment income isn't taxed, the rate of return is higher than it appears. For example, assuming you could earn 6% on a tax-free investment, it would be like effectively earning Y % based on your current tax rate. Save Regularly: You don't need to build a big 1. Income > $20,000 1 6 Budget, nest egg all at once. Most banks and financial 2. No retirement plan indicator, No IRA Saving, & institutions offer automatic savings programs, 3. No Schedule D Investment and many employers offer automatic payroll 4. Schedule B income $0-75. deductions to fund a savings account. These 5. W-2 income. types of programs are an easy way to get 6. Check for systematic investment on a started because they let you automatically save new Express IRA. as little as $25 a month. Dividend Reinvestment Plans: If you used Any dividend income 4 6 Budget, your stock dividends to buy more stock, be sure Saving, & to save this tax return until you sell those shares Investment to ensure you report your cost in the stock correctly. Capital Loss Carryover: We used $3,000 of More than $3,000 net loss TPS: Net 3 6 Budget, your net capital loss to offset income on your Schedule D loss = X; Y = X-3000 Saving, & 2002 return. The remaining $Y of this loss will Investment be carried forward to offset future income. You should take this into consideration as you plan your investment strategy for 2003 and beyond. Identify Your Stock: If you bought stock or Schedule D 6 6 Budget, mutual fund shares at different times and prices, Saving, & let your broker know which shares you're Investment selling. The IRS will assume you sold the shares you owned longest, but you can minimize a loss or maximize a gain by designating the specific shares you want to sell in the orders you give your broker (get a written confirmation!). For example, your instructions might say: “Sell the shares I bought on Jun. 23, 1995” or “Sell the shares I bought for $12.50.” Borrowing to Invest: If you borrow money to Schedule D, total income > $75K 7 6 Budget, make investments, the interest on that loan is Saving, & usually deductible--but there are catches. The Investment loan has to be for an investment aimed at making taxable income, so borrowing to buy tax-free municipal bonds won't get you a deduction. Your interest write-off is limited to the amount of your taxable investment profit, but you can carry over the unused interest deduction until next year. There are some additional restrictions. Catch-Up IRA Contributions: Because you 1. Age > 50, but < 69 2 7 Retirement are X (and/or your spouse is X), you're eligible 2. IRA contribution to make catch-up contributions to your IRA or 3. No 7216 restriction Roth IRA. You can contribute an additional 4. Earned income is greater than $3,500. $500 on top of the $3,000 maximum allowed for 5. Suppress if no W-2 income. the year. TPS: Recalculate new tax liability based on current taxable income - $500. X = age. Catch-Up Retirement Plan Contributions: Age 50+, W-2 income, box 12 coded D, E, 1 7 Retirement Because you are X (and/or your spouse is X), F, G, H. TPS X = Age Onscreen message you may be eligible to make catch-up should only appear on the first eligible W-2. contributions of up to $1,000 to your employer- sponsored retirement plan. Check with your employer to see whether your plan allows such catch-up contributions. Sign up for Your Employer's Retirement 1. Retirement Plan - offered by employer 3 7 Retirement Plan: You told us you're eligible for a retirement 2. No Saver's Credit Calculator completed plan at work, but you currently don't contribute (aka 2003 section at top of calculator) to it. Consider signing up during the next 3. Suppress if no W-2 income. enrollment period to take advantage of the tax savings. Find Out If Your Employer Offers a 1. Retirement Plan - offered by employer 4 7 Retirement Retirement Plan: Retirement plans offer a 2. No Saver's Credit Calculator completed great way to put tax-free money away for your (aka 2003 section at top of calculator) retirement. Contact the benefits department at 3. Suppress if no W-2 income. work to find out if you are eligible and how to enroll. IRA: Even though you're not eligible for a 1. Retirement Plan - not offered by employer 5 7 Retirement retirement plan at work, you can still put money 2. No Saver's Credit Calculator completed away for your retirement in an Individual (aka 2003 section at top of calculator) Retirement Account (IRA). You should consider 3. Suppress IRA message if contributions setting up an IRA to take advantage of tax-free are present growth. 4. Suppress if no W-2 income. 5. Suppress if XIRA is present Maximize Your Retirement Savings: You are 1. No - Maximizing current retirement plan 6 7 Retirement not currently making maximum allowable at work contributions to your retirement plan. Consider 2. No completed Saver's Credit calculator increasing contributions to your retirement plan (aka 2003 section at top of calculator) to get the maximum available tax advantages. 3. Suppress if no W-2 income. Contact your benefits department at work to find out how to change your contribution level. Also, be sure to ask if you are eligible for any matching contributions. Maximize Your Retirement Plan: Contact your 1. Don't know - Maximizing current 7 7 Retirement benefits department to find out the maximum retirement plan at work amount you can contribute to your plan, and 2. No completed Saver's Credit calculator how to change your contribution amounts if (aka 2003 section at top of calculator) necessary. Also, be sure to ask if you are 3. Suppress if no W-2 income. eligible for any matching contributions. Consider a Nondeductible IRA: Even though 1. Income > $160,000/150,000 married filing 8 7 Retirement you are maximizing your retirement plan at jointly; $10,000/0 married filing separately; work, you may still want to put away more to $110,000/95,000 all other statuses achieve your desired standard of living when (optional) you retire. If so, consider investing in a 2. No IRA contributions nondeductible IRA (contributions won't be 3. Maxing retirement plan? answer Y. deductible because of your income, but the 4. Suppress if Saver's credit message (Diag value of your IRA will still grow tax-free until you 815] generates make withdrawals). 5. Suppress if no W-2 income. 6. Must have earned income. 7. Suppress if XIRA is present Roth IRA Contributions: Consider opening a 1. Income not more than $150,000 married 9 7 Retirement Roth IRA. You can contribute up to $3,000 each filing jointly, $0 married filing separately, year. Unlike a traditional IRA, contributions $95,000 all other statuses aren't deductible, but you can withdraw your 2. No IRA contribution. (Suppress if Saver's contributions at any time without paying taxes or credit msg [Diag 815] generates.) penalties (although the earnings will be taxed). 3. Must have earned income And after five years, you can withdraw your 4. Suppress if no W-2 income earnings -- free from taxes and penalties -- if 5. Suppress if XIRA is present you use the money to buy a first home or you're over 59½. Make Your IRA Contributions Sooner: Don't 1. Entry in Field: Traditional IRA - any 10 7 Retirement wait until the last minute to make your 2003 IRA contribution made after Dec. 31, 2002 contributions. The earlier in the year you put 2. Suppress if no W-2 income. money into your IRA, the longer you give your tax-deferred savings to grow. Refinancing: Based on the information you No 7216 restriction calculated when 4 8 Home provided us, it appears you may not have taken calculator is populated. Trigger for this new Ownership advantage of historically low interest rates. We statement: Have refinanced since January recommend you review your mortgage terms. 2002 - No and/or > 7% interest rate. You may be able to lower your current interest rate to reduce your monthly payments and the total amount of interest you would pay over the life of your mortgage loan. Debt Consolidation: As a homeowner, you can No 7216 restriction credit card 3 8 Home reduce your monthly debt payments and total Ownership interest costs while lowering your taxes. Consider consolidating your non-deductible debt (e.g., credit card, car loan, etc) with a home equity loan, which is usually tax deductible. Check with your lending institution to see if you qualify for a home equity loan. Saving for a Down Payment: If you would like 1. W-2 < Roth limit 6 8 Home to buy a home but find it difficult to save the 2. AGI > $20,000 Ownership down payment, consider using a Roth IRA. After 3. No Roth info indicated on return five years, you can withdraw all of your 4. Suppress if no W-2 income. contributions and use up to $10,000 of earnings free of taxes or penalties if the money is used to buy a first home. Reevaluate your PMI: Private Mortgage Yes or don't know paying PMI 1 8 Home Insurance (PMI) is typically required by lenders Ownership when you pay less than 20% down on your home. PMI provides no ongoing benefit to you and adds to your monthly mortgage costs. You can usually stop paying it once the equity in your home reaches 20%. Ask your lender whether you qualify to stop paying PMI. A Gift from the IRS: If you're selling your Yes to selling primary residence & Yes to 5 8 Home home, the IRS has a gift for you. Any gain on have lived & owned 2 of last 5 years Ownership that sale up to $500,000 for a married couple and $250,000 for a single person may be tax- free as long as you've lived in the home for two of the past five years. If you've taken a home office deduction or rented out part of the home, however, your profit for that portion of the home is taxable as a capital gain and depreciation deductions you've taken since 1997 will be taxed at up to 25%. Estate Strategy: You should have your gift and Will question answered yes AND income > 1 9 Estate estate strategy reviewed by your lawyer in light $45K or pension income > $20K or interest/ Planning of recent and expected tax law changes. For dividend income > $2,000 example, you can now give up to $11,000 a year to any person without paying gift tax. Any time you exceed the annual recipient limit, you will need to file a gift tax return, but you won't actually pay gift taxes unless you give more than one million dollars over your lifetime. Protect Your Kid(s): A will can help ensure 3 9 Estate that your wishes about the care of your kid(s) Planning and how your assets should be divided are followed after your death. Without a will, (state of residence) will decide for you. Lawyers can prepare a will or you can draft your own. If you do it yourself, we recommend having a lawyer review it. Consider Getting a Will: Wills are important to Income > $45,000 OR pension > $20,000 9 Estate ensure your friends and family are not left with OR interest income > $2,000. Answer will Planning unnecessary decisions about how to carry out question No. AND No Dependents your wishes. A lawyer can help you prepare a will or you can draft your own. If you do it yourself, we recommend having a lawyer review it. Borrowing to Invest: If you borrow money to Dependents 0-18, AGI > $50,000 3 10 Education make investments, the interest on that loan is usually deductible--but there are catches. The loan has to be for an investment aimed at making taxable income, so borrowing to buy tax-free municipal bonds won't get you a deduction. Your interest write-off is limited to the amount of your taxable investment profit, but you can carry over the unused interest deduction until next year. There are some additional restrictions. Saving for Education: Education Savings Dependents 0-18, AGI $20,000-$50,000 2 10 Educatlon Accounts (ESAs) allow you to save for elementary, secondary, or post-secondary education expenses. Section 529 plans, on the other hand, can only be used to pay higher educadon costs. But they can offer immediate state tax savings. Both plans allow tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses and can be started for as little as $25 a month. Consolidating Student Loans: Recent Yes response to Did you or your spouse 1 10 Educatlon reductions in student loan interest rates make it make any payments on student loans (for a great time to consider consolidating your self or dependent)? (multiple 1098-Es? ) student loans. Contact your lender for more informatlon - and be sure to ask about discounts for automatlc payments and on-time payments. Deducting Student Loan Interest: If you plan Dependents born between Jan. 1, 1980 and 4 10 Educatlon to take out loans to pay for your children's Dec. 31, 1987 education costs, remember that up to $2,500 of student loan interest can be used to reduce taxable income. Because this is an adjustment to income, any taxpayer--not just someone who itemizes, can take it. Increased Standard Deduction: You will “X” > 0 9 11 Safety Net qualify for an increased standard deduction next year, which will save you about $X in taxes if your taxable income stays the same next year. Life Changes Impact Your Taxes: Getting Refund $1000 or less 1 11 Safety Net married or divorced, getting a promotion, having No 824 Diag a baby, buying a home or becoming self- employed are just a few life events that can affect your taxes. If your life situation changes-- or if you would like to manage the size of your refund next year--adjust your withholding by filling out a new Form W-4 to give to your employer. Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): You Taxpayer age 45+ and (AGI > $45,000 or 11 11 Safety Net can make nondeductible contributions to these interest/dividend income > $500 or pension. accounts for the benefit of a niece, nephew, income > $20,000) no other education godchild, grandchild -- in fact, any child -- for as message little as $25 a month. And withdrawals are tax- free if the money is used to pay for the child's education -- even for elementary or secondary education and supplies, computer, or Internet costs. For more information go to www.savingforcollege.com. Getting Your Refund All Year: Refund > $1000 2 11 Safety Net Congratulations! You're getting a big refund. No 824 Diag You're pleased because you can use the money. Uncle Sam is pleased, too, because you've loaned him all that money interest-free for 12 months. If you'd rather get more in each paycheck, adjust your withholding so that you get a smaller refund at tax time but more money every payday. Fill out a new Form W4 to give to your employer. Dependents Come in Lots of Sizes: Age > 18 12 11 Safety Net Remember that a dependent doesn't have to be a child or even a relative. You can claim anyone who lives in your home, has less than $3,000 in taxable income and receives at least 50% of his or her support from you. If a dependent is related to you (by blood, marriage or adoption), he or she doesn't even have to live with you. If you're not sure, we'll help you figure out if a particular individual qualifies as your dependent. Roth IRA Withdrawals: You can withdraw your Enter Roth IRA Actual Contributions field 13 11 Safety Net Roth IRA contributions at any time without paying tax or penalties. After five years, you can also withdraw your earnings -- free from taxes and penalties -- if you use the money to buy a first home or you're over 59 ½. Emergency Cash Reserves: You should have 1. Gross income > $30,000 MFJ; $25,000 6 11 Safety Net at least 90 days' worth of net income set aside other statuses. to pay for unexpected expenses. If you save $X 2. No message if interest income >= $250. each month, at the end of two years you will 3. “X” > 0 have saved your 90 days' worth, $Y. TPS: Y = [(1040 line 39 − line 58)/4]. X = Y /24. Keep Track of Your Charitable 1. Anyone who takes the standard 3 11 Safety Net Contributions: Even though you didn't itemize deduction your deductions this year--and might not next 2. Suppress if $0 tax liability and no year--it could pay to keep track of your cash presence of regular child tax credit and non-cash contributions to charity. That's because Congress is considering a new tax rule that will let every taxpayer take a tax deduction for charitable donations--even if you don't itemize your deductions. If that does become law, you'll be glad you kept track of what you gave to charity. What If Your Stock Splits: If a company Schedule D 4 11 Safety Net whose stock you own declares a stock split, your basis in that stock for tax purposes remains the same even though you now own more shares. Say you bought 100 shares of company XYZ for $10 and paid a $50 commission. Your basis is $1,050--the purchase price plus the commission--or $10.50 a share. Company XYZ declares a 2-for-1 stock split and you now own 200 shares. Your basis remains $1,050. Divide by 200, and you have a basis of $5.25 a share. Remember the Wash Sale Rule: Forget about Schedule D 5 11 Safety Net selling a stock to show a loss if you quickly buy replacement shares of the same stock. Under the “wash sale” rule, you can't claim a loss on a stock sale if you buy the same stock within 30 days before or after the sale. In fact, you don't get the benefit of the loss until you sell the replacement stock. The same rule doesn't apply to gains, so you can't wash out a capital gain by buying the same stock back within 30 days. Start Saving Now: The sooner you start 1. Age < 40 years old (Reasoning is 25 7 11 Safety Net saving, the more time you'll have for your nest years from now = 65) egg to grow. If you set aside just $50 each 2. Suppress if no W-2 income month at an interest rate of 4%, you would have 3. Suppress if XIRA is present nearly $3,400 after five years. Keep doing this for 25 years, and you'll have nearly $26,000. Put the same money aside in a tax-deferred account such as an IRA, and you'll get have even more bang for your bucks. Borrowing from Your 401(k): If your employer Anyone with a 401(k) at work 8 11 Safety Net permits it, you can borrow up to 50% of the value of your 401(k) account tax-free if you repay the loan within 5 years. You can take longer to repay the loan if you use it to buy a principal residence. Employers who permit this--and it's up to the employer--will usually set up a payroll withdrawal plan to repay the loan. But beware: if you leave that employer before you pay the loan off, the IRS will tax and penalize the outstanding balance. Beware the Credit Card Trap: Paying the No trigger - this should appear for anyone 10 11 Safety Net “minimum due” on your credit card each month that is that far down in the cascading advice costs more than you think. If you have a $1,000 protocol. balance with a credit card that charges 18%, it will take over 7.5 years to payoff . . . and cost over $800 in interest. Pay just $30 more than the minimum each month and it will only take four years and $310 in interest. If you need help, non-profit credit counseling services can negotiate lower rates or other concessions. When More Than One Person Is Providing Taxpayer or spouse age > 30 Income 14 11 Safety Net Support: There's an exception to the rule that > $25,000 you have to provide more than half of someone's support to claim him or her as a dependent. A brother and sister, for example, might be providing significant support for an elderly parent but separately fail the 50% support rule. In that case, one of them could claim the parent as a dependent if the other signs a Form 2120--Multiple Support Declaration. We can help you with this. If You Inherit: If you inherit money or property No trigger - this should appear for anyone 15 11 Safety Net from someone's estate, your inheritance is that is that far down in the cascading advice generally free of taxes. However, you may be protocol. taxed on funds you inherit from a traditional IRA or a 401(k). If you inherit a home and sell it, only the difference between the value when you inherited it and when you sold it is taxable. Any gain before you inherited it is not taxed. We can help determine which part of your inheritance, if any, is subject to federal or state taxes. Add disclaimer to top of template: This report N/A N/A has been customized for you based on your 2002 tax return. The statements below are designed to help guide your thinking about your unique tax and financial situation, but are not a substitute for legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice. Add new template for deceased statements. 1. Filing status is married filing jointly N/A 13 Deceased Allows introductory paragraph: Many changes 2. Taxpayer or spouse is deceased come with the loss of a loved one. Because finances may not have been at the forefront of your mind this year, please take a moment to review the following checklist of things to consider. Remember, we are here year-round to help you adjust to any changes in your tax and financial situation. Appraise Your Property: When you choose to 1. Filing status is married filing jointly N/A 13 Deceased sell property, you pay tax on the gain in value. 2. Taxpayer or spouse is deceased When you inherit property including jointly owned property, the basis (the amount you paid for it) can usually be adjusted to the fair market value on the date of death. This means that if the property has appreciated, a professional appraisal now can save tax dollars later. Different rules apply to your primary residence. Verify Property Ownership: It's important to 1. Filing status is married filing jointly N/A 13 Deceased accurately document the legal ownership of 2. Taxpayer or spouse is deceased property. Review the name in which all of your property is titled. Also verify that the name(s) and social security number(s) on all of your accounts are accurate and up to date. Review Beneficiary Information: The 1. Filing status is married filing joindy N/A 13 Deceased beneficiary information for your IRAs, savings, 2. Taxpayer or spouse is deceased insurance policies, and other accounts may be out of date. Review your accounts and contact the financial institutions where the accounts are held to update this information. Manage Lump Sum Payments: If you have 1. Filing status is married filing jointly N/A 13 Deceased received a lump sum of money from an 2. Taxpayer or spouse is deceased insurance policy or some other source, you may want to speak with a professional financial advisor about the best way to manage those dollars based on your personal and financial circumstances. A professional financial advisor will be able to work with you to help you determine your objectives. Tax Planning: You may have changes in both 1. Filing status is married filing jointly N/A 13 Deceased your tax situation and your monthly income. 2. Taxpayer or spouse is deceased Your tax professional can help you plan for these adjustments by reviewing your withholding and estimated payments and helping you make any necessary modifications

Triggers and priorities as well as associated calculations may be established for as many statements as may be needed to cover topics and issues that are likely to be of interest to taxpayers. For example, taxpayers may receive tax advice documents comprising statements related to income, deductions (e.g., charitable contributions, student loan interest, moving expenses), tax credits (e.g., earned income credits, child tax credits, dependent care credits, Hope Scholarship Credit/Lifetime Learning Credit), employer sponsored or self-employment qualified retirement plans (e.g., 401(k), 403(b), 457, SEP, SIMPLE, Keogh plans), flexible spending accounts, IRA contributions, tax-exempt investments, and social security tax payments.

An example tax advice document format according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown in Table 3. The name of the document recipient is entered in the fields of the “prepared for:” line of the first row. Information regarding the document preparation date and preparer is also provided. Next, a “Today's Savings” area of the document includes taxpayer specific data related to the tax return data for the taxpayer. The “Filing, Refund and Balance Due Information” area includes information regarding any tax refunds that are due to the taxpayer or tax payments that the taxpayer is required to make. Finally, the “Looking Ahead Opportunities and Advice” area contains tax advice recommendations and statements that are selected according to associated triggers, calculations, and priorities. The recommendations and statements that are selected for the taxpayer identify specific actions that the taxpayer may take. By following the tax advice recommendations and statements, the taxpayer may be able to reduce his or her tax liability in subsequent tax years or obtain other financial benefits.

TABLE 3 prepared for: <FirstName> <MI>. <LastName> <Suffix> Date prepared: Oct. 22, 2003 Prepared by: Ima Tax Pro 1111 Main St. Anytown, Missouri 11111 (800) 555-1111 Today's Savings Taking advantage of the new Saver's Credit this year saved you $187 in taxes. By participating in a qualified retirement plan through your employer, we calculated that you saved $45 in taxes this year because you funded the plan with pretax dollars. By ensuring that you qualified for a $1,300 earned income credit this year, we helped you obtain a $4,062 refund. Talk with your tax professional about receiving your benefits throughout the year with advance earned income refund. Claiming the child tax credit for this year helped you reduce your federal taxes by $600. Claiming the dependent care credit for you this year helped you reduce you federal taxes by $506. We compared your options, including two credits, two deductions, and several types of tax-free payments, and we were able to reduce your taxes by $105. Be sure to keep track of all of your expenses, including student loan interest, for 2004. In simple terms, the Marginal Tax Rate is the highest percentage of tax that you pay on any dollar of taxable income. As income rises, the tax rates get higher. The Effective Tax Rate is the percentage of your total income that you paid in taxes. For 2003, your Marginal Tax Rate is XX % and your Effective Tax Rate is YY %. In addition to the $X savings identified above, we helped you save $Z. So overall, we were able to help obtain a net tax savings of $Y on your tax return. Filing, Refund and Balance Due Information Refund/ (Balance Tax Return E-File/Mail to Due) Summary Federal Your federal return $4,062.00 Refund/Balance Due $4,062.00 has been e-filed. Express IRA Preparation Fees ($426.00) Bank Fees ($45.00) ($197.00) Delivery: Your IRS Check for the estimated amount of $4,062.00 will be available in about 8-15 days. Your tax professional can tell you how to check the status of your refund. Missouri Please mail your check and return ($20.00) to: Missouri Department of Revenue P.O. Box 3222 Jefferson City, MO 65105-3222 Delivery: Your check payable to Missouri Department of Revenue for the estimated amount of $20.00 is due by Apr. 15, 2004. Looking Ahead Opportunities and Advice Getting Money Quickly A Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) is certainly one of the fastest ways to get the amount of your anticipated refund. But as you know, the lending bank charges you for this service. And you must repay the loan in full even if the IRS doesn't approve your refund. Remember, you can get your refund in approximately 10-21 days and avoid the bank fee just by filing electronically and requesting direct deposit. That way, you can put more of your refund in your pocket. Insure Your Kid(s): Your kid(s) may be eligible for low-cost or free health care in Missouri--even if you work full time. To find out more, call 1(877) KIDS NOW, (543-7669) toll free or visit www.insurekidsnow.gov on the Internet. Ask your tax professional for a brochure about this program. Saver's Credit: We calculate that you can take advantage of the Saver's Credit in 2004. If you contribute $1,000 to a qualified plan, your savings in 2004 can be as much as $759. Your best savings strategy depends on your specific situation. Your tax professional can help you compare the benefits of the retirement savings options available to address your short-term and long-term savings goals. Getting Your Fair Share: The government uses tax dollars to fund programs that can assist you with free or discounted foods, prescription drugs, job placement, housing, health care, etc. To find out which programs you are eligible for go to www.firstgov.gov. Seniors should also visit www.benefitscheckup.com. Plan to Buy a Home: Home ownership may seem an impossible dream - but it's never too early to starting planning. Owning a home has many advantages: protection from inflation, tax breaks, equity build-up, and maybe even special opportunities for the first-time buyer. Check with your tax professional for more information. That dream may be closer than you think. Protect Your Loved Ones: A will can help ensure that your wishes about the care of your kid and how your assets should be divided are followed after your death. Without a will, Missouri will decide for you. Lawyers can prepare a will or you can draft your own. If you do it yourself, we recommend having a lawyer review it. Saving for Education: Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) allow you to save for elementary, secondary, or post-secondary education expenses. Section 529 plans, on the other hand, can only be used to pay higher education costs. But they can offer immediate state tax savings. Both plans allow tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses and can be started for as little as $25 a month. Ask your tax professional for more information. Getting Your Refund All Year: Congratulations! You're getting a big refund. You're pleased because you can use the money. Uncle Sam is pleased, too, because you've loaned him all that money interest-free for 12 months. If you'd rather get more in each paycheck, adjust your withholding so that you get a smaller refund at tax time but more money every payday. We can help you fill out a Form W4 and advise you on how to submit it. An Ima Tax Pro service representative is available year-round to provide you with information about these opportunities. For more information about tax, mortgage, and financial services call 1-800- IMATAXP or visit imataxpro.com. This Ima Tax Pro Advantage document presents suggestions that may help you improve your tax and financial situation. Its contents should be considered in conjunction with other information you receive from qualified sources that are familiar with your specific circumstances.

The statements are then viewable and printable as part of the tax return preparation and printing process. The number and types of triggered and/or printed recommendations or statements are then captured by the tax preparation software for national analysis. Triggers, categories, and priorities may be adjusted as desired for greater specificity or generality, to emphasize a particular category or subject.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram of the primary hardware components in a first configuration according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown. In an example embodiment of the present invention, tax return preparation software stored at a server computer 204 is accessible from a plurality of workstations 200, 202. The tax preparation software operates in conjunction with tax return preparation data 206 accessible from the server 204. The tax advice recommendations and statements used to generate personalized tax advice documents for taxpayers 206 may also be accessible from the server 204. Finally, a printer 208 connected to the server 204 may be used to print personalized tax advice documents generated using the tax return preparation software.

In a second configuration for an example embodiment of the present invention, the tax return preparation software may be stored at and operable from a standalone computer. The tax advice recommendations and statements may also be stored locally so that a personalized tax advice document according to the present invention may be generated at the standalone computer and printed from a printer attached to the standalone computer. Finally, in a third configuration, the tax return preparation software may be stored at and operable from a web site. Tax preparers may connect to the web site to operate the tax preparation software and obtain personalized tax advice documents. The tax advice documents may then be printed at a local printer.

The present invention creates a much more personalized and more relevant grouping of financial advice recommendations and statements that are presented in order of urgency, specificity, and applicability for each taxpayer's unique situation. It generates from taxpayer data entered into a tax preparation program a personalized, prioritized set of applicable advice recommendations or statements from a highly specific data source such as a federal income tax return. The taxpayer may obtain a printed tax advice document comprising specific recommendations and statements that allow the taxpayer to take specific actions that may result in tax savings or other financial benefits in later tax years.

While example embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the categories of statements and the content of statements may be modified and prioritization of the categories or statements may be adjusted and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Modifications, combinations, and equivalents to the system and method of the present invention are intended to be covered and claimed. 

1. A computerized method for generating a tax advice document from a tax return preparation program executing on a computer comprising: (a) entering in said computer a plurality of tax advice statements relevant to a tax liability; (b) entering in said computer assignments of at least two of said tax advice statements to a client-requested category; (c) entering in said computer assignments of each of said plurality of tax advice statements except said at least two of said client-requested category tax advice statements to one of a plurality of other tax advice categories; (d) entering in said computer assignments of a category relevance value to each of said tax advice categories of tax advice statements; (e) entering in said computer assignments of a statement relevance value to each of said tax advice statements in each of said tax advice categories; (f) associating in said computer each of said plurality of tax advice statements with a trigger in said tax return preparation system; (g) entering in said computer a category maximum number of tax advice statements from each of said tax advice categories to include on a tax advice document; (h) entering in said computer a total maximum number of tax advice statements to include on a tax advice document; (i) entering in said computer at least two interview questions for determining which of said tax advice statements in said client-requested category to include first in a tax advice document; (j) entering taxpayer data into said tax preparation program executing on said computer, said taxpayer data including a taxpayer's response to an interview question for selecting a tax advice statement from said client-requested category to include in a tax advice document that also comprises; (1) tax advice statements selected from said plurality of tax advice statements when conditions associated with said triggers in said tax return preparation program executing on said computer are met; (2) selected tax advice statements from said client-requested category up to said category maximum number of tax advice statements for said client-requested category; (3) selected tax advice statements from said other tax advice categories up to said category maximum number of tax advice statements for each of said other tax advice categories; (4) a number of said selected tax advice statements from said client-requested category and said selected tax advice statements from said other tax advice categories that does not exceed said total maximum number of tax advice statements; (5) a first selected tax advice statement from said client-requested category; and (6) selected tax advice statements from said other tax advice categories ordered on said tax advice document according to said category relevance value and within each category said statement relevance value.
 2. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising: (k) printing said tax advice document for said taxpayer.
 3. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein said tax advice statements are selected from the group consisting of statements related to income, deductions, tax credits, qualified retirement, flexible spending accounts, IRA contributions, tax-exempt investments, and social security tax payments.
 4. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein said other tax advice categories for said plurality of tax advice statements are selected from the group consisting of: tax alerts, tax planning, self-employed/small business, government assistance, saving and investments, retirement, home ownership, estate planning, education, and safety net.
 5. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein at least one tax advice statement in said tax advice document comprises a value calculated according to said tax return data for said taxpayer.
 6. A computerized method for generating a tax advice document from a tax return preparation program executing on a computer comprising: (a) entering in said computer a plurality of tax advice statements; (b) entering in said computer an assignment of at least two of said tax advice statements to a client-requested category; (c) entering in said computer an assignment of each of said plurality of tax advice statements except said at least two of said client-requested tax advice statements to one of a plurality of other categories; (d) entering in said computer an assignment of a category relevance value to each of said tax advice categories wherein said client-requested category is assigned a highest category relevance value; (e) entering in said computer an assignment of a statement relevance value to each of said plurality of tax advice statements in each of said tax advice categories; (f) entering in said computer an assignment of a trigger within said tax return preparation program to each of said plurality of tax advice statements; (g) specifying in said computer a category maximum number of tax advice statements from each of said tax advice categories to include on a tax advice document; (h) specifying in said computer a total number of tax advice statements to include on tax advice document; (i) determining at said computer whether one or more of said at least two of said client-requested tax advice statements are triggered after responses to interview questions are entered in said tax return preparation program; (j) determining at said computer which tax advice statements in said tax return preparation program are triggered when tax data for said taxpayer is entered in said tax return preparation system; and (k) generating at said computer for said taxpayer a tax advice document comprising a subset of triggered tax advice statements said tax advice document comprising: (1) triggered tax advice statements from said client-requested category up to said category maximum number of tax advice statements for said client-requested category; (2) triggered tax advice statements from said other tax advice categories up to said category maximum number of tax advice statements for each of said other tax advice categories; (3) a total number of said triggered tax advice statements from said client-requested category and said triggered tax advice statements from said other tax advice categories not exceeding said total number of tax advice statements; (4) a first triggered tax advice statement from said client-requested category; and (5) tax advice statements from said other tax advice categories ordered on said tax advice document according to said category relevance value and within each category, said statement relevance value.
 7. The computerized method of claim 6 further comprising: (l) printing said tax advice document for said taxpayer.
 8. The computerized method of claim 6 wherein said subset of tax advice statements is selected from the group consisting of statements related to income, deductions, tax credits, qualified retirement, flexible spending accounts, IRA contributions, tax-exempt investments, and social security tax payments.
 9. The computerized method of claim 6 wherein said plurality of categories is selected from the group consisting of tax alerts, tax planning, self-employed/small business, government assistance, saving and investments, retirement, home ownership, estate planning, education, and safety net.
 10. The computerized method of claim 6 wherein at least one tax advice statement in said subset of tax advice statements comprises a value calculated according to said tax return data for said taxpayer.
 11. A computerized method for generating a personalized tax advice document from a tax return preparation program executing on a computer comprising: (a) entering in said computer a plurality of tax advice statements relevant to a tax liability; (b) entering in said computer an assignment of each of said plurality of tax advice statements to at least one of a plurality of tax advice categories; (c) entering in said computer an assignment of a category relevance value to each of said tax advice categories of tax advice statements; (d) entering in said computer an assignment of a statement relevance value to each of said tax advice statements in each of said tax advice categories; (e) entering in said computer an association of each of said plurality of tax advice statements with a trigger in said tax return preparation program; (f) entering in said tax return preparation program data for a taxpayer; (g) determining at said computer which tax advice statements from said plurality of tax advice statements are triggered when conditions associated with said triggers in said tax return preparation program are met; (h) determining at said computer which of said triggered tax advice statements correspond to a client requested category based on said taxpayer's responses to interview questions in said tax return preparation program; (i) specifying in said computer a category maximum number of tax advice statements to include a tax advice document for each of said categories; (j) specifying in said computer a total number of statements to include on a tax advice document; and (k) generating for said taxpayer a tax advice document comprising: (1) triggered tax advice statements from said client-requested category up to said category maximum number of tax advice statements for said client-requested category; (2) triggered tax advice statements from other categories up to said category maximum number of tax advice statements for each of said other categories; (3) a total number of said triggered tax advice statements from said client-requested category and said triggered tax advice statements from said other categories not exceeding said total number of tax advice statements; and (4) tax advice statements from said other categories ordered on said tax advice document according to said category relevance value and within each category, said statement relevance value.
 12. The computerized method of claim 11 further comprising: (l) printing said tax advice document for said taxpayer.
 13. The computerized method of claim 11 wherein tax advice statements are selected from the group consisting of statements related to: income, deductions, tax credits, qualified retirement, flexible spending accounts, IRA contributions, tax-exempt investments, and social security tax payments.
 14. The computerized method of claim 11 wherein tax advice categories for said plurality of tax advice statements are selected from the group consisting of: tax alerts, tax planning, self-employed/small business, government assistance, saving and investments, retirement, home ownership, estate planning, education, and safety net.
 15. The computerized method of claim 11 wherein at least one tax advice statement in said tax advice document comprises a value calculated according to said tax return data for said taxpayer. 